Improvement in deodorizing petroleum, naphtha



R. N. WARF|ELD.

Refining Oils.

No. 40,068. Q 4 Patented Sept. 22, 1863.

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UNTTED STATES PATENT TTTcE.

R. N. IVARFIELD, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

EMPROVEMENT IN DEODORIZING PETROLEUM, NAPHTHA, 80C.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 410,06 8, dated September 22, 1863.

.To all whom it mag concern.-

' Be it known that I, RICHARD N. WAR- FIELD, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Refining and Deodorizing Petroleum, Naphtha, &c.; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being bad to the accompa part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a central vertical section of my improved apparatus Fig. 2, a perspective View of the steam-drum and a portion of the steam-pipe Fig. 3, a horizontal section of the receiving-box of the steam-pipe at right angles to the section of the same part in Fig. 1.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

In a crude state petroleum is highly charged with hydrocarbon gas, the coloring-matter being asphaltum in solution. The process of distillation releases the oil from the asphaltum,

but does remove the gas.

The process of deodorization now in general use is to introduce ten per cent. of sulphuric acid into the distilled oil and agitate the mass. When settled, the acid is drawn off. The result is to only change the odor, not to reduce the volatility, and to destroy an equal amount of oil to that of the acid introduced. To destroy the floating particles of acid astrong solution of caustic of soda is introduced, which neutralizes the acid and changes a portion of the oil to soap, and is passed off at the additional expense of the destruction of a portion of the oil.

My process of relieving petroleum, naphtha, &c., of the hydrocarbon gas is substantially as follows: After the oil has been properly dis tilled I transfer it to the ordinary treating tank or vessel, A, and pass into it, at or near the bottom, a volume of steam through a pipe, 0, at the lower end of which is a drum or box, B, having at a suitable position around its whole circumference numerous small holes, a a, through which the steam escapes into the tank, and is distributed through the whole contents, as indicated byarrows, Fig. 1. The steam may be introduced with a similar effect by coiling the pipe itself over the bottom of nying drawings, making the tank, or by the use of a perforated false bottom with the steam entering beneath. Thus arranged,the steam is distributed through the whole body of oil, and in rising from bottom to top produces a double effectviz., first, it heats the oil nearly to its .own temperature, and heat of course has a tendency to expand and rarefy the gas which it is so desirable to remove, andthis gas is, therefore, in best 0011- dition to be carried off by any upward force that will free it from the oil; second, the steam passing forcibly through the oil exertsa positive action 011 the gas with which it comes in contact by carrying it up ward with itself. A portion of the gas also unites with the condensed steam that settles to the bottom of the tank, forming hydrocarbonated water, which is drawn off, when desired, at the outlet D. In this process there is no use of strong acids, and therefore no destruction of oil or its illuminating properties. I claim economy of labor, time, and in result in this respect I can deodorize one thousand gallons in much less time than by theusual process, and at an expense of not over fifty cents, while by the old 'method the cost would be from eight to twelve dollars, and I produce really a much purer article.

At a suitable position in the steam-pipe is situated a small box, IE, made tight, and having a perforated partition, I), across it, dividing it into two compartments, or arranged in some equivalent manner. To further purify and change the odor of the oil, and to bleach it, I introduce into this box chloride of lime in the proportion of about one and one-half bleaching by sending a volume of chlorine gas (produced by the passage of the steam) through the box, also rendering it purer than it would be by the employment of steam alone. Muriate of ammonia and stone lime, in the proportion of about one-fourth pound of the former and one-half pound of the latter to one thousand gallons of oil, may also be introduced in the box IE, thus producing nitrohydrogen gas, which tends to give the oil or naphtha a better odor.

chemical agents are merely auxiliary to the pounds to one thousand gallons of oil, thus' combining with the steaming process that of The use of these employment of steam, which is the real and essential element. Therefore the use of these might be dispensed with and still a fine quality of oil or naphtha be produced. This process thoroughly purifies the oil and renders it less explosive by the removal of gas to a greater degree, at the same time and for the same rea son increasing its illmninating powers. By this process I can so deodorize naphtha and re duce its explosive properties and inflammability that itis as safe as camphene or a burning-fluid made from alcohol and turpentine, I thus render available for burning an element of petroleum which has hitherto been too volatile, inflammable, and explosive for use.

Vfhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Deodorizing petroleum, naphtha, &e., by the introduction of a volume of steam into the liquid beneath its surface by means of the pipe 0 and drum B, or in an equivalent manner, so that the steam is distributed throughout the contents, and removes the gas by its passage through the oil, substantially as here in set forth.

2. Passing the steam through the box E, or its equivalent, containing chloride of lime, muriate of ammonia, and stone lime, so that the steam becomes impregnated with the principles of those elements prior to entering the oil, for the purpose of further purification, substantially as specified.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

R. N. \VARFIELD. "Witnesses:

R. F. Oseeon, A. SnRRoss. 

